Light, reflections, specular, diffuse, law of reflection, mirrors, virtual images. Complete lesson.

This lesson is 2 in a series of 5 that expertly and fully delivers all the points within the NEW KS3 specification SoW on the “light” topic.

I find that this powerpoint and the activities keep lower level students engaged during the lesson while allowing differentiation for higher achievers. I'm sure you'll find it useful. 

For more lessons designed to meet the new KS3 and KS4 specifications please type Barclayfox into the tes resources search engine to see all my lessons.

STARTER
Pupils will start the lessons by thinking/working in pairs and thinking back to the previous lesson to solve a gap fill. After revealing the title and lesson outcomes students self assess against their current understanding of this topic. Next there is a scientific literacy activity to ensure all students learn the key words required to understand this lesson.

MAIN
The slides then move on to lead the students onto the law of reflection. They will delve a little deeper into this by answering key questions from a diagram.

MAIN
Next, the lesson focuses on reflections in mirrors and how this works. Diagrams are clear and help get the key points across accurately. Students calculate the angle of incidence and self-assess. Next they look at specular and diffuse reflections.

MAIN
Students study a slide which shows a mirror and virtual image. This leads to a discussion and the revealing of how rays of light move and reflect off the mirror to create the virtual image. Student answer several questions focused on the above.

MAIN
Differentiation, Kinaesthetic up and about OR ray box practical - depending on which you feel is best matched to the abilities of your particular class. In the Kinaesthetic activity students follow the instructions and throw, or roll, a ball against a wall and compare the angles of incidence with their respective angles of reflection. In the light box practical they fire rays of light at a mirror and record incidence and reflection angles. These activities reinforce the law of reflection in student’s minds.

PLENARY
Each student self-assesses versus each of the objectives.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
These are provided just in case any group requires them.

All resources are included in this great lesson, there is nothing for you to do but order the equipment for the class practical (simply hand your technician the printed off kit list.doc).

Thank you for looking, your feedback is much appreciated! :)

Lesson 2 in a series of 5.

Happy teaching,
Barclayfox.